The showers that caused the postponement of games Thursday and Saturday and caused a 49-minute delay Sunday afternoon were joined by some metaphorical rain in the form of the bad news that the Patriots are losing three key contributors in the middle of their playoff push.

Prior to Sunday’s 6-2 loss against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs in front of a soaked crowd of 5,277 at TD Bank Ballpark, center fielder Jonny Tucker signed a Double-A contract with the Washington Nationals, starting pitcher Doug Arguello reached a tentative deal to play in Taiwan’s Chinese Professional Baseball League and relief pitcher Travis Bowyer was moved from the disabled list to the inactive list.

“Killer, that’s what it is,” manager Sparky Lyle said one hour before watching starting pitcher Sean Green allow five runs in the first inning. “Every time we get something going, something like this happens.”

Tucker, who started the season blistering hot, was hitting .245 with a team-high 37 walks in 82 games. He is returning to Double-A Harrisburg, where he played 75 games last season before suffering a season-ending thumb injury making a diving catch.

“There is a level of familiarity there even though the situation didn’t work out last year…but it wasn’t an easy decision,” Tucker said. “It was one of the harder ones I’ve had to make. I was finally having fun again. I was able to spread my wings. And I was in an older clubhouse.”

For Tucker, 29, the deciding factor was an invitation to join the organization next spring training.

“I feel like I’m good enough to play at the major league level,” said Tucker, who expects to be in an everyday utility role. “I don’t want to go there just to fall by the wayside. I’m still trying to make a splash.”

The leadoff batter made enough of a splash with the Patriots that he says he was told he could return after the affiliated minor-league season ends if he wishes. Lyle isn’t counting on it, however.

“He played hard, he played every day, he ran every ball out,” Lyle said. “You couldn’t ask for a better guy, but this is something he can’t pass up.”

Arguello is 5-4 with a 3.36 ERA and a team-high 74 strikeouts in 932/3 innings. Opponents are hitting just .197 against the left-hander, whose numbers would be more eye-popping if not for issuing 45 walks.

“Early in the season I was working on my stuff,” said Arguello, who did not retire a batter in the first of his 16 starts. “Right now, it’s easier to keep my rhythm going.”

The Patriots (8-9, 43-44) lost ace starter Paul Phillips to Taiwan on June 30, but Arguello, 27, said he and Phillips have not spoken since then and will not be reunited as teammates. Arguello still needs to be approved for a visa before his departure is finalized.

“When he pitches, sometimes it’s not pretty, but he wins,” said Lyle, who plans to slide long reliever Jon Kibler into the starting rotation. “Outside of that first game, he’s been great.”

Bowyer, who has not pitched since June 11, appeared close to returning as recently as 10 days ago, but his sore shoulder has not responded in bullpen side sessions. The former major leaguer is headed home, where he was during the past six baseball seasons after undergoing rotator cuff surgery.